When Should You Hire A Professional To Clean Up Your Yard?

As the snow begins to melt and the sun starts coming out to play, we look around at our lawns and envision all the flowers to plant, what mulch color to lay, and where to hang the bird feeders. Of course, our yards are very much about presentation, but home landscaping goes beyond flowerbeds and mowing. As such, it's no surprise that so many people opt for a professional yard cleanup that removes weeds, leaves, and debris, along with other thankless maintenance tasks. However, these services can get quite pricey and may even cost over $1,000 if your outdoor spaces are in a state of disarray. 

Thankfully, homeowners can easily take care of many yard projects. On the other hand, there will be times when a lawn is beyond DIY ingenuity, and professionals must be called. Typically the issues that cause us to bring in outside help are hidden beneath the surface or have gotten too out of hand. Here are a few ways to know if your yard needs professional intervention.

Yard pests are not only annoying but can also be dangerous if not properly controlled. Our minds may immediately go to wasp nests and ant hills, but many pests are hidden from the eye and overlooked until they've destroyed a chunk of your lawn. Insects like grubs, mole crickets, and cinch bug infestations are very harmful, and they can't usually be seen on the surface as they hide at the base of your lawn or tunnel into the dirt. The bugs kill grass and attract unwanted rodents looking for a snack, like raccoons, skunks, and moles. Unfortunately, yards needing a professional cleanup are prime hotspots for unwelcome pests.

There are some measures you can take to eradicate the environment in which the pests thrive before resorting to a professional. Begin by removing as much standing water as possible. Next, trim down any overgrown weeds and bushes that offer unwanted insects the shelter they seek. You may also try DIY remedies and pesticide sprays to kill off the infestation. Finally, remove damp and rotting material such as leaves and sticks. If the ground under wet foliage is squishy to the touch — indicating a deeper issue — or if your remedies have not significantly changed your pest problem within a week or so, it's time to consider calling in a professional.

While it is natural for grass to wilt as summer passes and winter approaches, common lawn issues may be the culprit if your grass is not bright and green during spring. For instance, forgetting about piled leaves on your grass during winter will do a number on your spring lawn's color. If you can't clean up the mess yourself, bringing in professionals to remove leaves, giant tree limbs, and other debris embedded in your soil would be wise.

Invasive plants and toxic weeds are other reasons to hire a yard cleanup service. If you do not know how to properly dispose of harmful weeds like poison ivy or wild parsnip, you could end up with a very uncomfortable and itchy rash. Other invasive plants that are too much for some homeowners to eliminate include creeping Charlie, crabgrass, and smartweed. Since weeds are also likely to brown your lawn, hiring a pro might be best if dead sod and invasive species are quickly taking over your yard.